阅读说明：本技术 检测装置、运算装置、控制装置、以及使用其的电动助力转向装置 (Detection device, arithmetic device, control device, and electric power steering device using same ) 是由 藤田敏博 于 2019-03-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：主检测元件(131、231)检测根据检测对象(875)的旋转而变化的物理量。子检测元件(132、232)检测根据检测对象的旋转而变化的物理量。信号处理部(140、240)输出与主检测元件的检测值对应的信息亦即主旋转信息、以及与子检测元件的检测值对应的信息亦即子旋转信息。封装体(351～360)密封主检测元件、子检测元件以及信号处理部。全部的主检测元件以及子检测元件的中心被配置在偏离检测对象的检测中心的位置。主检测元件被配置在比子检测元件还接近检测中心的位置。封装体配置在其中心偏离检测中心的位置。(The main detection elements (131, 231) detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with the rotation of the detection object (875). The sub detection element (132, 232) detects a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object. The signal processing units (140, 240) output main rotation information, which is information corresponding to the detection value of the main detection element, and sub-rotation information, which is information corresponding to the detection value of the sub-detection element. The package (351-360) seals the main detection element, the sub detection element and the signal processing unit. The centers of all the main detecting elements and the sub detecting elements are arranged at positions deviated from the detection center of the detection object. The main detecting element is disposed closer to the detection center than the sub detecting elements. The package is disposed at a position where its center is deviated from the detection center.)

1. A detection device is provided with:

main detection elements (131, 231) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of a detection object (875);

sub-detection elements (132, 232) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object;

signal processing units (140, 240) for outputting main rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the main detection element and sub-rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the sub-detection element; and

a package (351-360) for sealing the main detecting element, the sub detecting element and the signal processing unit,

the centers of all the main detecting elements and the sub detecting elements are arranged at positions deviated from the detection center of the detection object,

the main detecting element is disposed closer to the detection center than the sub detecting elements,

the package is disposed at a position where the center of the package is deviated from the detection center.

2. A detection device is provided with:

main detection elements (131, 231) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of a detection object (875);

sub-detection elements (132, 232) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object;

signal processing units (140, 240) for outputting main rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the main detection element and sub-rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the sub-detection element; and

a package (351-360) for sealing the main detecting element, the sub detecting element and the signal processing unit,

the centers of all the main detecting elements and the sub detecting elements are arranged at positions deviated from the detection center of the detection object,

the sub-detecting element is disposed at a position deviated from a straight line connecting the center of the main detecting element and the detection center,

the main detecting element is disposed closer to the detection center than the sub detecting elements.

3. The detection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

the detection center is positioned in the packaging body area.

4. The detection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the main detecting element comprises a first main detecting element (131) and a second main detecting element (231),

the sub-detecting elements include a first sub-detecting element (132) and a second sub-detecting element (232).

5. The detection apparatus according to claim 4,

the first main detecting element, the second main detecting element, the first sub detecting element, and the second sub detecting element are mounted on one surface of a lead frame (322).

6. The detection apparatus according to claim 4,

the first main detecting element and the first sub detecting element are mounted on one surface of a lead frame (321),

the second main detecting element and the second sub detecting element are mounted on the other surface of the lead frame.

7. The detection apparatus according to claim 6,

the first main detection element and the second main detection element are mounted at the same position with the lead frame therebetween.

8. The detection apparatus according to claim 4,

the package includes: a main package (353) sealing the first main detection element and the second main detection element, and a sub-package (354) sealing the first sub-detection element and the second sub-detection element,

the sub-package is disposed at a position farther from the detection center than the main package.

9. The detection apparatus according to claim 4,

the package is provided for each of the main detection elements, and the packages are mounted on both surfaces of a substrate (470) such that the first main detection element and the second main detection element are mounted at the same position via the substrate.

10. The detection apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9,

is mounted on a substrate (470) divided into a first system area and a second system area,

the package is disposed such that the first main detecting element is in the first system region and the second main detecting element is in the second system region.

11. The detection apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9,

is mounted on a substrate (470) divided into a first system area and a second system area,

the first main detection element and the second main detection element are disposed on a boundary line that divides the first system region and the second system region.

12. The detection apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,

has lead terminals (161, 261, 361, 362) provided on the outer periphery of the package,

the lead terminal disposed on the first system area side outputs a signal relating to a detection value of the first main detection element,

the lead terminal disposed on the second system area side outputs a signal relating to a detection value of the second main detection element.

13. The detection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

the main detecting element and the sub detecting element have different element-related configurations.

14. A detection device is provided with:

main detection elements (131, 231) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of a detection object (875);

sub-detection elements (132, 232) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object;

signal processing units (140, 240) for outputting main rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the main detection element and sub-rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the sub-detection element; and

a package (351-360) for sealing the main detecting element, the sub detecting element and the signal processing unit,

the main detecting element and the sub detecting element have different element-related configurations.

15. The detection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14,

the detection value of the main detection element is used for control operation,

the detection value of the sub-detection element is used for monitoring abnormality of the main detection element.

16. An arithmetic device is provided with:

a signal acquisition unit (171, 271) that acquires sub-rotation information corresponding to the detection value of a sub-detection element (132, 232) disposed at a position that is offset from the detection center of a detection object (875), and main rotation information corresponding to the detection value of a main detection element (131, 231) disposed at a position that is offset from the detection center of the detection object and closer to the detection center than the sub-detection element;

a calculation unit (172, 272) that performs control calculation based on the main rotation information; and

and an abnormality determination unit (173, 273) for determining an abnormality based on the main rotation information and the sub rotation information.

17. A control device comprises detection devices (301-319) and arithmetic devices (70, 71),

the detection device comprises:

main detection elements (131, 231) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of a detection object (875);

sub-detection elements (132, 232) that detect a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object; and

a signal processing unit (140, 240) for outputting main rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the main detection element and sub-rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the sub-detection element to the arithmetic device,

the arithmetic device includes a control unit (170, 270) including a signal acquisition unit (171, 271) for acquiring the main rotation information and the sub rotation information from the detection device, an arithmetic unit (172, 272) for performing a control operation using the main rotation information, and an abnormality determination unit (173, 273) for determining an abnormality of the detection device based on the main rotation information and the sub rotation information,

the centers of all the main detecting elements and the sub detecting elements are arranged at positions deviated from the detection center of the detection object,

the main detecting element is disposed closer to the detection center than the sub detecting elements.

18. The control device according to claim 17,

the arithmetic device (70) has a plurality of control units,

when the combination of the main detecting element, the sub detecting element and the signal processing unit is used as a sensor unit (130, 230), the sensor unit is provided corresponding to each control unit,

the arithmetic unit performs a control operation based on the main rotation information acquired from the sensor unit provided in correspondence with the sensor unit, and stops the control operation in the arithmetic unit when the main rotation information is abnormal,

when the other main rotation information is normal, the control of the control unit that has acquired the normal main rotation information is continued.

19. The control device according to claim 18,

when a combination of the control unit and the sensor unit provided in correspondence with the control unit is used as a system, power is supplied from voltage sources (191, 291) of other paths for each system.

20. The control device according to any one of claims 17 to 19,

the main detection element and the sub detection element detect a rotating magnetic field that changes in accordance with the rotation of the motors (80, 83),

the control unit controls driving of the motor based on the main rotation information.

21. An electric power steering device is provided with:

the control device (10) of claim 20; and

the motor is provided.

22. The electric power steering apparatus according to claim 21,

the main detecting element or the sub detecting element continues to detect even when the start switch of the vehicle is turned off,

the signal processing unit continues the calculation of the number of rotations of the motor while the start switch is turned off.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a detection device, an arithmetic device, a control device, and an electric power steering device using the same.

Background

Conventionally, a rotation angle detection device having a plurality of sensor units is known. For example, in patent document 1, a plurality of sensors are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a rotation center.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-145813

When the plurality of sensors are arranged in point symmetry, the distance between each sensor and the rotation center is constant, and therefore, in order to ensure the detection accuracy of all the sensors, it is necessary to increase the size and thickness of the magnet and reduce the influence of magnetic flux distortion.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a detection device, an arithmetic device, a control device, and an electric power steering device using the same, which can ensure detection accuracy while suppressing an increase in the size of a detection target.

The detection device of the present disclosure includes a main detection element, a sub detection element, a signal processing unit, and a package. The main detection element detects a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object. The sub detection element detects a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object. The signal processing unit outputs main rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the main detection element and sub-rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the sub-detection element. The package seals the main detecting element, the sub detecting element, and the signal processing unit.

In the first and second aspects, the centers of all of the main detection elements and the sub-detection elements are arranged at positions deviated from the detection center of the detection target. The main detection element is disposed at a position closer to the detection center than the sub detection elements. In the first aspect, the package is disposed at a position where the center thereof is deviated from the detection center. In the second aspect, the sub-detection element is disposed at a position deviated from a straight line connecting the center of the main detection element and the detection center. In the third aspect, the element-related configurations of the main detection element and the sub detection element are different.

The disclosed arithmetic device is provided with a signal acquisition unit, an arithmetic unit, and an abnormality determination unit. The signal acquisition unit acquires sub-rotation information corresponding to a detection value of a sub-detection element disposed at a position deviated from a detection center of a detection object, and main rotation information corresponding to a detection value of a main detection element disposed at a position deviated from the detection center of the detection object and closer to the detection center than the sub-detection element. The calculation unit performs control calculation based on the main rotation information. The abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality based on the main rotation information and the sub rotation information.

The control device of the present disclosure includes a detection device and an arithmetic device. The detection device includes a main detection element, a sub detection element, and a signal processing unit. The main detection element detects a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object. The sub detection element detects a physical quantity that changes in accordance with rotation of the detection object. The signal processing unit outputs main rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the main detection element and sub-rotation information corresponding to the detection value of the sub-detection element to the arithmetic device.

The arithmetic device includes a control unit including a signal acquisition unit, an arithmetic unit, and an abnormality determination unit. The signal acquisition unit acquires main rotation information and sub rotation information from the detection device. The calculation unit performs control calculation using the main rotation information. The abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality of the detection device based on the main rotation information and the sub rotation information.

The centers of all the main detecting elements and the sub detecting elements are arranged at positions deviated from the detection center of the detection object. The main detection element is disposed at a position closer to the detection center than the sub detection elements. This can ensure detection accuracy of the main detection element while suppressing an increase in size of the detection target. Further, since the control calculation is performed using the main rotation information based on the detection value of the main detection element, the control calculation can be performed with high accuracy.

Drawings

The above object and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The attached figures are such that,

fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a steering system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the driving device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the ECU of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the rotation angle sensor and the magnet according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the rotation angle sensor according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the motor control process according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a rotation angle sensor according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing a rotation angle sensor according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to a sixth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to the seventh embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to the eighth embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to the ninth embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to the tenth embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing an ECU of the eleventh embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing an ECU of the eleventh embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to the eleventh embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor and a magnet according to the eleventh embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view illustrating the arrangement of the rotation angle sensor on the substrate according to the twelfth embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor according to a twelfth embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a schematic view showing a rotation angle sensor of the thirteenth embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a sectional view illustrating the arrangement of the rotation angle sensor on the substrate in the fourteenth embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor of the fourteenth embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor of the fifteenth embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor according to the sixteenth embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a schematic view showing a rotation angle sensor of the seventeenth embodiment.

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor of the third embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor of the seventeenth embodiment.

Fig. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor of the eighteenth embodiment.

Fig. 33 is a schematic diagram showing a rotation angle sensor of the nineteenth embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the detection device, the arithmetic device, the control device, and the electric power steering device using the same according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, in the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the actually same components, and the description thereof is omitted.

(first embodiment)

As shown in fig. 1, the ECU10, which is the control device of the first embodiment, is applied to an electric power steering device 8 for assisting the steering operation of the vehicle, together with a motor 80, which is a rotating electric machine. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a steering system 90 including an electric power steering apparatus 8. The steering system 90 includes a steering wheel 91, which is a steering member, a steering shaft 92, a pinion 96, a rack shaft 97, wheels 98, an electric power steering apparatus 8, and the like.

The steering wheel 91 is connected to a steering shaft 92. A torque sensor 94 that detects a steering torque Ts is provided on the steering shaft 92. The torque sensor 94 includes a first torque detection unit 194 and a second torque detection unit 294. A pinion 96 is provided at the front end of the steering shaft 92. The pinion 96 meshes with a rack shaft 97. A pair of wheels 98 are coupled to both ends of the rack shaft 97 via tie rods or the like.

When the driver rotates the steering wheel 91, the steering shaft 92 connected to the steering wheel 91 rotates. The rotational motion of the steering shaft 92 is converted into linear motion of the rack shaft 97 by the pinion 96. The pair of wheels 98 are steered by an angle corresponding to the displacement amount of the rack shaft 97.

The electric power steering device 8 includes: a drive device 40 having a motor 80 and an ECU 10; and a reduction gear 89 as a power transmission unit for reducing the rotation of the motor 80 and transmitting the reduced rotation to the steering shaft 92. The electric power steering apparatus 8 of the present embodiment is a so-called "column assist type", but may be a so-called "rack assist type" that transmits the rotation of the motor 80 to the rack shaft 97, or the like. In the present embodiment, the steering shaft 92 corresponds to a "driving target".

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the motor 80 outputs a part or all of the torque necessary for steering, and is driven by electric power supplied from the batteries 191 and 291 to rotate the reduction gear 89 forward and backward. The motor 80 is a three-phase brushless motor, and includes a rotor 860 and a stator 840.

The motor 80 has a first motor winding 180 and a second motor winding 280 as winding groups. The electrical characteristics of the motor windings 180, 280 are the same, so as to be offset from each other by an electrical angle of 30 deg]Wound around a common stator 840. Accordingly, the motor windings 180 and 280 are controlled to be energized in phaseOffset 30 deg]Phase current of (1). By optimizing the conduction phase difference, the output torque is improved. In addition, the torque ripple can be reduced six times. In addition, since the current is averaged by the phase difference conduction, the advantage of eliminating noise and vibration can be maximized. Further, since the heat generation is also averaged, it is possible to reduce the temperature-dependent inter-system error such as the detection value and torque of each sensor, and to average the amount of current that can be applied.

Hereinafter, a combination of the first drive circuit 120, the first sensor unit 130, the first controller 170, and the like, which are involved in the drive control of the first motor winding 180, is referred to as a first system L1, and a combination of the second drive circuit 220, the second sensor unit 230, the second controller 270, and the like, which are involved in the drive control of the second motor winding 280, is referred to as a second system L2. The structure relating to the first system L1 is numbered mainly with the 100 th segment, and the structure relating to the second system L2 is numbered mainly with the 200 th segment. In the first system L1 and the second system L2, the same components are numbered with the same next two digits. Hereinafter, "first" is referred to as a subscript "1" and "second" is referred to as a subscript "2", as appropriate.

The drive device 40 may be so-called "of an electromechanical type" in which the ECU10 is integrally provided on one side in the axial direction of the motor 80, and the motor 80 and the ECU10 may be provided separately. The ECU10 is disposed coaxially with the axis Ax of the shaft 870 on the opposite side of the output shaft of the motor 80. The ECU10 may also be provided on the output shaft side of the motor 80. By being of an electromechanical integration type, ECU10 and motor 80 can be efficiently arranged in a vehicle with limited installation space.

The motor 80 includes a stator 840, a rotor 860, a housing 830 for housing them, and the like. The stator 840 is fixed to the housing 830 and wound around the motor windings 180, 280. The rotor 860 is disposed radially inward of the stator 840 and is provided to be rotatable relative to the stator 840.

The shaft 870 is fitted into the rotor 860 and rotates integrally with the rotor 860. Shaft 870 is rotatably supported by housing 830 via bearings 835 and 836. The ECU10 side end of the shaft 870 protrudes from the case 830 toward the ECU10 side. A magnet 875 to be detected is provided at an end of the shaft 870 on the ECU10 side. The center of the magnet 875 is disposed on the axis Ax. Hereinafter, the axis Ax is referred to as "detection center" and is appropriately regarded as "center of the magnet 875". In addition, the position of the axis Ax on the substrate 470 on which the rotation angle sensor 301 is mounted is appropriately regarded as the "detection center".

The housing 830 includes a bottomed cylindrical casing 834 including a rear frame 837, and a front frame 838 provided on the opening side of the casing 834. The casing 834 and the front frame 838 are fastened to each other by bolts or the like. A wire insertion hole 839 is formed at the rear frame 837. The lead wires 185 and 285 connected to the motor windings 180 and 280 are inserted into the lead insertion hole 839. The lead wires 185, 285 are taken out from the lead wire insertion hole 839 to the ECU10 side and connected to the substrate 470.

The ECU10 includes a cover 460, a heat sink 465 fixed to the cover 460, a substrate 470 fixed to the heat sink 465, and various electronic components mounted on the substrate 470.

The cover 460 protects the electronic components from external impact or prevents dust, water, and the like from infiltrating into the interior of the ECU 10. The cover 460 integrally forms a cover main body 461, and a connector portion 462. Further, the connector portion 462 may also be independent from the cover main body 461. The terminal 463 of the connector portion 462 is connected to the substrate 470 via a wiring line not shown. The number of connectors and the number of terminals can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the number of signals and the like. The connector part 462 is provided at an axial end of the drive device 40 and opens on the opposite side to the motor 80. The connector portion 462 includes each connector described later.

The substrate 470 is, for example, a printed circuit board, and is provided to face the rear frame 837. The substrate 470 is configured to have a complete redundant structure in which electronic components of two systems are mounted independently for each system. In the present embodiment, the electronic component is mounted on one substrate 470, but the electronic component may be mounted on a plurality of substrates.

Of the two main surfaces of the substrate 470, the surface on the motor 80 side is a motor surface 471, and the surface on the opposite side to the motor 80 is a cover surface 472. As shown in fig. 3, the switching element 121 constituting the drive circuit 120, the element 221 constituting the drive circuit 220, the rotation angle sensor 301 as a detection device, the custom ICs 159 and 259, and the like are mounted on the motor surface 471. The rotation angle sensor 301 is mounted at a position facing the magnet 875 to be able to detect a change in the magnetic field accompanying the rotation of the magnet 875.

The substrate 470 is divided into a first system region R1 and a second system region R2, and electronic components relating to the first system L1 are mounted on both surfaces of the first system region R1, and electronic components relating to the second system L2 are mounted on both surfaces of the second system region R2. The rotation angle sensor 301 is mounted on a boundary D that divides the first system region R1 and the second system region R2. The boundary D may be, for example, a position where the wiring pattern of the substrate 470 is divided, or may be a virtual line. The positional relationship between the regions R1 and R2 and the rotation angle sensor will be described in detail in the embodiments described later.

The capacitors 128 and 228, the inductors 129 and 229, and the microcomputers constituting the control units 170 and 270 are mounted on the cover surface 472. In fig. 3, "170" and "270" are numbered for the microcomputers constituting the control units 170 and 270, respectively. Capacitors 128 and 228 smooth the electric power input from batteries 191 and 291. The capacitors 128 and 228 store electric charges to assist the supply of electric power to the motor 80. The capacitors 128 and 228 and the inductors 129 and 229 constitute a filter circuit, and reduce noise transmitted from other devices sharing the batteries 191 and 291 and noise transmitted from the drive device 40 to other devices sharing the batteries 191 and 291. A power supply relay, a motor relay, a current sensor, and the like, which are not shown, are also mounted on the motor surface 471 or the cover 472.

As shown in fig. 4, the ECU10 includes the drive circuits 120 and 220, the arithmetic device 70, the rotation angle sensor 301, and the like. In fig. 4, the driving circuit is described as "INV". The first drive circuit 120 is a three-phase inverter having six switching elements 121, which converts the electric power supplied to the first motor winding 180. The switching element 121 controls on or off operation based on a control signal output from the first control section 170. The second drive circuit 220 is a three-phase inverter having six switching elements 221, which converts the power supplied to the second motor winding 280. The switching element 221 controls on or off operation based on a control signal output from the second control section 270.

The rotation angle sensor 301 includes a first sensor unit 130 and a second sensor unit 230. The first sensor unit 130 outputs the detection value to the first control unit 170, and the second sensor unit 230 outputs the detection value to the second control unit 270. That is, in the present embodiment, the first sensor unit 130 is included in the first system L1, and the second sensor unit 230 is included in the second system L2. The circuit configuration of the rotation angle sensor in the embodiment described later is also the same.

The first sensor unit 130 includes a first main detection element 131, a first sub detection element 132, and a signal processing unit 140. The second sensor section 230 has a second main detection element 231, a second sub-detection element 232, and a signal processing section 240. The details of the processing in the sensor units 130 and 230 are the same, and therefore, the description of the second sensor unit 230 is appropriately omitted.

The detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are detection elements that detect a change in the magnetic field of the magnet 875 corresponding to the rotation of the motor 80. The detection elements 131, 132, 231, 232 use, for example, MR sensors or hall ICs.

The signal processing unit 140 includes rotation angle calculation units 141 and 142, a rotation number calculation unit 143, a self-diagnosis unit 145, and a communication unit 146. The signal processing unit 240 includes rotation angle calculation units 241 and 242, a rotation number calculation unit 243, a self-diagnosis unit 245, and a communication unit 246.

The rotation angle calculation unit 141 calculates the rotation angle θ 1a for control based on the signal from the first main detection element 131. The rotation angle calculation unit 142 calculates the rotation angle θ 1b for abnormality detection based on the signal from the first sub-detection element 132. The rotation angle calculation unit 241 calculates the control rotation angle θ 2a based on the signal from the second main detection element 231. The rotation angle calculation unit 242 calculates the rotation angle θ 2b for abnormality detection based on the signal from the second sub-detection element 232.

In the present embodiment, the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a calculated based on the detection signals of the main detection elements 131 and 231 are used for various calculations of the control units 170 and 270, and the rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2b calculated based on the detection signals of the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are used for abnormality detection based on comparison with the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2 a. Hereinafter, the main detection elements 131 and 231 are appropriately set to "control", and the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are appropriately set to "abnormality detection". In the present embodiment, the rotation angles θ 1a, θ 1b, θ 2a, and θ 2b are mechanical angles, but may be electrical angles or values that can be converted into rotation angles or the like on the side of the control units 170 and 270.

The same type of elements may be used for the control detection elements 131 and 231 and the abnormality detection elements 132 and 232, or different types of elements may be used. The abnormality detection element does not require detection accuracy as compared with the control element, and therefore may be an element having lower accuracy than the control element. By using different types of elements for control and abnormality detection, it is not likely to be damaged together, and it is preferable from the viewpoint of functional safety. Here, even if the types of devices are the same, the devices having different layouts, material ratios, manufacturing lots, and wafer numbers in the lots may be regarded as "different types". The present invention is not limited to the element, and may be regarded as "different in type" when the detection circuit, the arithmetic circuit, and the power supply connected to the element are different in type and voltage. In addition, it is preferable to make the calculation circuits of the rotation angle calculation units 141 and 142 different from each other in view of functional safety.

The rotation number calculation unit 143 counts the rotation number TC1 of the motor 80 based on the signal from the detection element 131. The rotation number calculation unit 243 counts the rotation number TC2 of the motor 80 based on the signal from the detection element 231. The number of rotations TC1, TC2 divides one rotation of the motor 80 into three or more regions, and can be calculated based on the count value by performing an up-count or down-count depending on the rotation direction every time the region changes. The count value itself is also included in the concept of the number of rotations TC1 and TC 2.

The self-diagnosis unit 145 monitors abnormalities such as a power supply short circuit and a ground short circuit in the first sensor unit 130. The communication unit 146 generates a first output signal, which is a series of signals including the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 1b, the number of rotations TC1, and the self-diagnosis result, and transmits the first output signal to the first control unit 170. The self-diagnosis section 245 monitors abnormality in the second sensor section 230. The communication unit 246 generates a second output signal, which is a series of signals including the rotation angles θ 2a and θ 2b, the number of rotations TC2, and the self-diagnosis result, and transmits the second output signal to the second control unit 270. The output signal of the present embodiment is a digital signal, and the communication method is, for example, SPI communication, but other communication methods may be used.

The first sensor unit 130 is supplied with electric power from the first battery 191 via power sources 192 and 193 as a regulator and the like. While the ignition switch, that is, the start switch of the vehicle is turned off, the power is constantly supplied to the detection element 131 and the rotation number calculation unit 143, which are surrounded by the broken line, via the power source 192, and the detection and calculation are continued. In the first sensor unit 130, power is supplied to the components other than the detection element 131 and the rotation number calculation unit 143 via the power source 193 when the start switch is turned on, and power supply is stopped when the start switch is turned off. When the start switch is turned on, power is supplied to the first control unit 170 via the power supply 193.

Power is supplied from the second battery 291 to the second sensor unit 230 via power sources 292 and 293 as regulators and the like. While the start switch is turned off, the power supply 192 constantly supplies power to the detection element 231 surrounded by the broken line and the rotation number calculation unit 243, and the detection and calculation are continued. In the second sensor unit 230, power is supplied to the components other than the detection element 231 and the rotation number calculation unit 243 via the power source 293 when the start switch is turned on, and power supply is stopped when the start switch is turned off. When the start switch is turned on, power is supplied to the second controller 270 via the power supply 293.

The detection elements 131 and 231 to which power is always supplied are preferably selected from elements with low power consumption, such as TMR elements. In order to avoid the complication, wiring and control lines for connecting the battery 191 and the power supply 193 are not described. In fig. 4, for the purpose of separating the respective components, "1A" is added to the detection element 131, the rotation angle calculation unit 141, and the power source 192, "1B" is added to the detection element 132, the rotation angle calculation unit 142, and the power source 193, "2A" is added to the detection element 231, the rotation angle calculation unit 241, and the power source 292, and "2B" is added to the detection element 232, the rotation angle calculation unit 242, and the power source 293.

The arithmetic device 70 includes a first control unit 170 and a second control unit 270. The control units 170 and 270 are mainly configured by a microcomputer or the like, and each includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I/O, a bus connecting these components, and the like, which are not shown. Each process in the control units 170 and 270 may be a software process in which a CPU executes a program stored in advance in a physical memory device such as a ROM (i.e., a readable non-transitory tangible recording medium), or a hardware process by a dedicated electronic circuit.

The first control unit 170 and the second control unit 270 are provided so as to be able to communicate with each other between the control units 170 and 270. Hereinafter, the communication between the control units 170 and 270 is referred to as "inter-microcomputer communication" as appropriate. As a communication method between the control units 170 and 270, serial communication such as SPI and SENT, CAN communication, FlexRay communication, or any other method CAN be used.

The first control unit 170 includes a signal acquisition unit 171, a calculation unit 172, and an abnormality determination unit 173. The signal acquisition section 171 acquires the first output signal from the first sensor section 130. The calculation unit 172 calculates the steering angle θ s1 using the rotation angle θ 1a and the number of rotations TC 1. The computing unit 172 generates a control signal for controlling the on/off operation of the switching element 121 of the drive circuit 120 by, for example, current feedback control based on the rotation angle θ 1a and a detection value of a current sensor, not shown. The abnormality determination unit 173 detects an abnormality of the first sensor unit 130 by comparing the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 1 b. In the present embodiment, when the difference between the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 1b is larger than the abnormality determination threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality.

The second control unit 270 includes a signal acquisition unit 271, a calculation unit 272, and an abnormality determination unit 273. The signal acquisition section 271 acquires the second output signal from the second sensor section 230. The calculation unit 272 calculates the steering angle θ s2 using the rotation angle θ 2a and the number of rotations TC 2. The computing unit 272 generates a control signal for controlling the on/off operation of the switching element 221 of the drive circuit 220 by, for example, current feedback control based on the rotation angle θ 2a and a detection value of a current sensor, not shown. The switching elements 121 and 221 are turned on and off based on the control signal, and the energization of the motor windings 180 and 280 is controlled, thereby controlling the driving of the motor 80. The abnormality determination unit 273 detects an abnormality of the second sensor unit 230 by comparing the rotation angles θ 2a and θ 2 b. In the present embodiment, when the difference between the rotation angles θ 2a and θ 2b is larger than the abnormality determination threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality.

In the present embodiment, since the count of the number of rotations TC1, TC2 is continued even when the start switch is turned off, the steering angles θ s1, θ s2 can be calculated immediately after the start without performing the relearning in the vehicle straight traveling state, for example, after the start switch is turned on again. Further, in the sensor units 130 and 230, the power consumption during the turning-off of the start switch can be suppressed by limiting the configuration in which the power is constantly supplied to the minimum configuration required for the calculation of the number of rotations TC1 and TC2 to continue.

In the present embodiment, the rotation number calculation units 143 and 243 calculate the rotation number TC1 and TC2 using the detection values of the control detection elements 131 and 231. Thus, in the rotation angle θ 1a and the number of rotations TC1 for control, variations due to the detection characteristics of the elements and the mounting offset do not occur, and therefore the steering angle θ s1 can be appropriately calculated. The same applies to the steering angle θ s 2.

The detection elements 131, 132, 231, 232 are configured as shown in fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 and the like are schematic views showing cross sections, but hatching is omitted to avoid complication. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are mounted on the lead frame 321 and sealed by the package 351. The package 351 is mounted on the motor face 471 of the substrate 470 so as to include the axis Ax in a region thereof. The arithmetic circuit elements constituting the signal processing units 140 and 240 may be provided at arbitrary positions in the package 351, but are provided between the corresponding detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 and the lead frame 321, for example.

The detection elements 131 and 132 of the first system L1 are mounted on the surface of the lead frame 321 on the side opposite to the magnet 875. The detection elements 231 and 232 of the second system L2 are mounted on the surface of the lead frame 321 on the substrate 470 side. The detecting elements 131 and 132 of the first system L1 may be on the substrate side, and the detecting elements 231 and 232 of the second system L2 may be on the side facing the magnet 875. The gap distance, which is the distance between the package 351 and the magnet 875 in the axial direction of the motor 80 (i.e., the vertical direction of the paper in fig. 5), is set to the optimum gap region in which the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are arranged.

In the present embodiment, all the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are disposed in the region RM where the magnetic field can be detected with high accuracy. In the present embodiment, the region RM is a projection region of the magnet 875 in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the rotation angle sensor 301 is smaller in size than the magnet 875. Depending on the characteristics, shape, and the like of the magnet 875, the region RM may be a virtual region defined by magnetic lines of force or the like, instead of being coincident with the projected region of the magnet 875. The detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed on both sides at the same position with the lead frame 321 interposed therebetween, and the distances X1 between the centers of the detection elements 131 and 231 and the axis Ax are equal. The detection elements 132 and 232 are disposed on both sides at the same position with the lead frame 321 interposed therebetween, and the distances Y1 between the detection elements 132 and 232 and the axis Ax are equal.

The main detection elements 131 and 231 and the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center Pc of the package 351. The center Pc of the package 351 is offset from the axis Ax. That is, if the distance between the center of the package 351 and the axis Ax is Z1, Z1 ≠ 0.

In the present embodiment, the centers of all the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are arranged to be offset from the axis Ax. In addition, the detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed close to the axis Ax in order to ensure detection accuracy of the detection elements 131 and 231 used for control. The distance X1 between the center of the control detecting element 131, 231 and the axis line Ax is smaller than the distance Y1 between the abnormality detecting element 132, 232 and the axis line Ax. Namely X1 < Y1.

In the present embodiment, the detection element 131 and the detection element 132 are disposed separately. If the sensors are arranged at a narrow interval, for example, adjacent to each other, it is difficult to manufacture the sensors. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the detection elements 131 and 132 are separated from each other, and the axis line Ax is disposed closer to the main detection element 131 side than the centers of the detection elements 131 and 132, so that the manufacturing can be facilitated, and the detection elements 131 and 132 can be relatively close to the axis line Ax, and the detection accuracy required for the detection elements 131 and 132 can be satisfied. The same applies to the detecting elements 231 and 232.

The arrangement of the magnet 875 and each of the rotation angle sensors 301 to 312 is, when only "distance" is used, a distance on the same plane perpendicular to the axis Ax of the motor 80. As described above, the axial distance of the motor 80 is the "gap distance". "equal distance" refers to an offset that allows for a degree of manufacturing error. The same applies to "same position", "parallel", etc.

The motor control process of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of fig. 7. Here, if the value to be used is the value of the second sensor unit 230, the processing of the second control unit 270 is the first control unit 170, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, the "step" of step S101 is omitted and is simply referred to as symbol "S". The same applies to the other steps.

In S101, the first control unit 170 acquires the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 1b from the first sensor unit 130. In S102, the abnormality determination unit 173 determines whether or not the control rotation angle θ 1a is normal. Here, the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 1b are compared, and when the difference is larger than the abnormality determination threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality. In addition, the abnormality determination is performed also when the diagnosis result of the self-diagnosis section 145 of the first sensor section 130 is abnormal. If it is determined that the control rotation angle θ 1a is normal (yes in S102), the process proceeds to S103, and if it is determined that the control rotation angle θ 1b is not normal (no in S102), the process proceeds to S104.

In S103, the first control unit 170 controls the driving of the motor 80 using the control rotation angle θ 1 a. Specifically, the arithmetic unit 172 generates a control signal for controlling the on/off operation of the switching element 121 using the control rotation angle θ 1 a. In S104, the first control unit 170 stops the drive control of the motor 80 of the present system. When the rotation angle θ 2a output from the second sensor unit 230 is normal, the driving of the motor 80 is continued by the single-system driving of the second system L2. Further, the rotation angle θ 2a for control may be acquired from the second control unit 270 by the inter-microcomputer communication, and the control by the first control unit 170 may be continued.

In the present embodiment, since the rotation angle sensor 301 includes both the detection elements 131 and 231 for control, even if one of the detection elements 131 and 231 is abnormal, the other detection element can continue to be used for control. Since the control detection elements 131 and 231 are both disposed near the center of the magnet 875, the rotation of the motor 80 can be detected with high accuracy. Further, since the rotation angle sensor 301 is provided with the detection elements 132 and 232 for abnormality detection for the detection elements 131 and 231 for control, respectively, it is possible to completely perform independent control of the two systems.

In the present embodiment, since the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are mounted on both surfaces of the lead frame 321, packaged as one, and mounted on the motor surface 471 of the substrate 470, the area dedicated to the substrate 470 can be reduced. Further, since the rotation angle sensor 301 can be disposed close to the magnet 875, the magnet 875 can be downsized.

As described above, the rotation angle sensor 301 includes the main detection elements 131 and 231, the sub detection elements 132 and 232, the signal processing units 140 and 240, and the package 351.

The main detection elements 131, 231 detect a rotating magnetic field that changes in accordance with the rotation of the magnet 875. The sub-detection elements 132, 232 detect a rotating magnetic field that changes in accordance with the rotation of the magnet 875. The signal processing units 140 and 240 output rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a, which are information corresponding to the detection values of the main detection elements 131 and 231, and rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2b, which are information corresponding to the detection values of the sub detection elements 132 and 232. The package 351 seals the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 and the signal processing units 140 and 240.

The centers of all the detecting elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are disposed at positions offset from the axis Ax, which is the rotation center of the magnet 875. The main detecting elements 131 and 231 are disposed closer to the axis Ax than the sub detecting elements 132 and 232. The package 351 is disposed at a position where its center is offset from the axis Ax. The axis Ax is located within the package body region. The detection value of the main detection element is used for control calculation, and the detection value of the sub detection element is used for abnormality monitoring of the main detection element.

Thus, even if the number of detection elements to be a redundant system is increased, the detection accuracy of the main detection elements 131 and 231 can be ensured while suppressing an increase in size of the magnet 875. Since the sub-detection elements 132 and 232 can also be disposed at positions where detection accuracy is relatively high, the magnet 875 can be downsized.

The package 351 is disposed at a position where the center Pc is offset from the axis Ax. Thus, even when the main detection elements 131 and 231 and the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are symmetrically arranged in the package 351, the main detection elements 131 and 231 can be appropriately brought closer to the axis Ax by shifting the center Pc of the package 351 from the axis Ax.

In the present embodiment, the main detecting element includes a first main detecting element 131 and a second main detecting element 231, and the sub detecting element includes a first sub detecting element 132 and a second sub detecting element 232. The first main detecting element 131 and the first sub detecting element 132 are attached to one surface of the lead frame 322, and the second main detecting element 231 and the second sub detecting element 232 are attached to the other surface of the lead frame 322.

The two main detection elements 131 and 231 are provided in one package 351 and are mounted on both sides at the same position via lead frames 321 provided in the package 351. This makes it possible to equalize the axial displacement amounts of the main detection elements 131 and 231 from the detection center, and to achieve the same detection accuracy. By mounting both surfaces of the lead frame 321, the rotation angle sensor 301 can be downsized.

The main detecting elements 131 and 231 and the sub detecting elements 132 and 232 may have different element-related configurations. This can suppress the occurrence of an abnormality due to the same cause, and therefore, the functional safety can be improved. The "element-related configuration" refers to a difference in the kind of an element (for example, a TMR element, an AMR element, a hall element, or the like), a difference in the internal configuration of an element (for example, a difference in a wafer, a difference in a layout, a difference in a material, a difference in a manufacturing condition, a difference in a manufacturing lot, or the like), a difference in the circuit configuration connected to an element, or a difference in the kind or voltage of a power supply supplied to an element.

The arithmetic device 70 includes signal acquisition units 171 and 271, arithmetic units 172 and 272, and abnormality determination units 173 and 273. The signal acquisition units 171 and 271 acquire rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2b corresponding to the detection values of the sub-detection elements 132 and 232 disposed at positions offset from the axis Ax, which is the rotation center of the magnet 875, and rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a corresponding to the detection values of the main detection elements 131 and 231 disposed at positions offset from the axis Ax, which is the rotation center of the magnet 875, and closer to the axis Ax than the sub-detection elements 132 and 232. The computing units 172 and 272 perform control computation based on the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2 a. The abnormality determination units 173 and 273 determine an abnormality based on the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a and the rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2 b.

The ECU10 includes a rotation angle sensor 301 and an arithmetic device 70. The rotation angle sensor 301 includes main detection elements 131 and 231, sub detection elements 132 and 232, and signal processing units 140 and 240. The main detection elements 131 and 231 detect a rotating magnetic field that changes in accordance with the rotation of the magnet 875. The sub-detection elements 132, 232 detect a rotating magnetic field that changes in accordance with the rotation of the magnet 875. The signal processing units 140 and 240 output the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a corresponding to the detection values of the detection elements 131 and 231 and the rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2b corresponding to the detection values of the detection elements 132 and 232 to the arithmetic device 70. The centers of all the detecting elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are disposed at positions offset from the axis Ax, which is the rotation center of the magnet 875. The main detecting elements 131 and 231 are disposed closer to the axis Ax than the sub detecting elements 132 and 232.

The arithmetic device 70 includes control units 170 and 270, and the control units 170 and 270 include signal acquisition units 171 and 271, arithmetic units 172 and 272, and abnormality determination units 173 and 273. The signal acquisition unit 171 acquires the rotation angle θ 1a and the rotation angle θ 1b from the rotation angle sensor 301. The signal acquisition unit 271 acquires the rotation angle θ 2a and the rotation angle θ 1b from the rotation angle sensor 301. The calculation units 172 and 272 perform control calculation using the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2 a. Abnormality determination units 173 and 273 determine an abnormality of rotation angle sensor 301 based on rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a and rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2 b.

Since the main detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed at positions where the detection accuracy is relatively high, the calculation units 172 and 272 can appropriately perform control calculation based on the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2 a. Further, it is possible to appropriately determine an abnormality based on the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a and the rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2 b.

The arithmetic device 70 includes a plurality of control units 170 and 270. The combination of the detection elements 131 and 132 and the signal processing unit 140 is the first sensor unit 130, and the combination of the detection elements 231 and 232 and the signal processing unit 240 is the second sensor unit 230. The sensor units 130 and 230 are provided corresponding to the control units 170 and 270.

The calculation unit 172 performs a control calculation based on the rotation angle θ 1a acquired from the first sensor unit 130 provided in correspondence with the rotation angle θ 1a, and stops the control calculation in the calculation unit 172 when the rotation angle θ 1a is abnormal. When the rotation angle θ 2a as the "other main rotation information" is normal, the control of the second control unit 270 that has acquired the normal rotation angle θ 2a is continued.

The calculation unit 272 performs a control calculation based on the rotation angle θ 2a acquired from the second sensor unit 230 provided correspondingly, and when the rotation angle θ 2a is abnormal, the control calculation in the calculation unit 272 is stopped. When the rotation angle θ 1a as the "other main rotation information" is normal, the control of the first control unit 170 that acquires the normal rotation angle θ 1a is continued. This enables the control to be continued appropriately even when some of the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 1b are abnormal.

The combination of the sensor units 130 and 230 provided corresponding to the control units 170 and 270 and the control units 170 and 270 is used as a system, and power is supplied to each system from the batteries 191 and 291 on the other path. Thus, even when an abnormality occurs in the power supply to a part of the systems, the control using another system can be continued appropriately.

The detection elements 131, 132, 231, 232 detect a rotating magnetic field that changes in accordance with the rotation of the motor 80. The control units 170 and 270 control the driving of the motor 80 based on the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2 a. This enables appropriate control of the driving of the motor 80.

The electric power steering device 8 includes an ECU10 and a motor 80. By controlling the driving of the motor 80 based on the rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a, the electric power steering device 8 can be appropriately controlled.

The detection elements 131, 231 continue to detect even while the start switch of the vehicle is open. The signal processing units 140 and 240 continue the calculation of the number of rotations TC1 and TC2 of the motor 80 while the start switch is turned off. Thus, even when a steering sensor for detecting the steering angle is not provided, the steering angles θ s1 and θ s2 can be appropriately calculated immediately after the start without the need for the relearning of the neutral position.

(second embodiment)

A second embodiment is shown in figure 8. The rotation angle sensor 302 of the present embodiment is the same as the above-described embodiment except that the detection element 132 for abnormality detection and the rotation angle calculation unit 242 (not shown in fig. 8) are omitted. The rotation angle θ 1b for abnormality detection is shared by the two systems by, for example, inter-microcomputer communication. This can reduce the number of detection elements. Further, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(third embodiment)

The third embodiment is shown in fig. 9 and 10. The rotation angle sensor 303 of the present embodiment includes detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232, a lead frame 322, and a package 352. The center of the package 352 is disposed at a position coincident with the axis Ax.

All of the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are arranged in a lateral direction on the surface of the lead frame 322 facing the magnet 875. The control detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed on both sides with a magnet 875 interposed therebetween. The detection elements 132 and 232 for abnormality detection are disposed outside the detection elements 131 and 231 for control.

In the present embodiment, all of the main detection elements 131 and 231 and the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are mounted on one surface of the lead frame 322, specifically, on the surface on the magnet 875 side. The main detecting elements 131 and 231 are disposed closer to the axis line Ax than the sub detecting elements 132 and 232, thereby ensuring detection accuracy. Further, since the detection element is mounted on one surface, productivity can be improved as compared with the case where the detection element is mounted on both surfaces. Further, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(fourth embodiment)

A fourth embodiment is shown in fig. 11. In the rotation angle sensor 304 of the present embodiment, the main detection elements 131 and 231 and the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are disposed on both sides with the axis Ax interposed therebetween. Further, a straight line La connecting the centers of the main detecting elements 131 and 231 is arranged parallel to a straight line Lb connecting the centers of the sub detecting elements 132 and 232. Further, the distance X2 between the straight line La and the axis Ax is smaller than the distance Y2 between the straight line Lb and the axis Ax. Further, the center of the package 352 is disposed to be offset from the axis Ax.

In the present embodiment, the detection accuracy is ensured by disposing the detection elements 131 and 231 for control closer to the axis line Ax than the detection elements 132 and 232 for abnormality detection. Further, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(fifth embodiment)

A fifth embodiment is shown in fig. 12. The rotation angle sensor 305 of the present embodiment includes a main package 353 including the main detection elements 131 and 231, and a sub-package 354 including the sub-detection elements 132 and 232. In the package 353, the detection element 131 is mounted on the surface of the lead frame 323 facing the magnet 87, and the detection element 231 is mounted on the surface of the substrate 470. The detection elements 131 and 231 are mounted on both sides at the same position on the lead frame 323. In the package 354, the detection element 132 is mounted on the surface of the lead frame 324 on the motor 80 side, and the detection element 232 is mounted on the surface of the substrate 470 side. That is, the detection elements 132 and 232 are mounted on both sides at the same position on the lead frame 324.

In the present embodiment, the center of the package 353 is disposed to be offset to one side from the axis Ax. The configuration is such that the center of the package 354 is offset to the other side from the axis Ax. Further, as in the above-described embodiment, the distance X1 between the detecting elements 131 and 231 for control and the axis line Ax is smaller than the distance Y1 between the detecting elements 132 and 232 for abnormality detection and the axis line Ax. Namely X1 < Y1. By disposing the centers of the package 353, 354 on both sides with the axis Ax interposed therebetween and by making X1 < Y1, the sub detection elements 132, 232 can be disposed in a region with relatively good detection accuracy while ensuring the detection accuracy of the main detection elements 131, 231.

In the present embodiment, the package includes a main package 353 sealing the main detection elements 131 and 231 and a sub-package 354 sealing the sub-detection elements 132 and 232, and the sub-package is disposed at a position farther from the axis Ax than the main package. When one package is used, if overheating occurs due to a failure of a part of the components, the heat may propagate and other normal components may also fail. By dividing the package into a plurality of packages as in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of simultaneous failures due to heat propagation. Further, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(sixth embodiment)

A sixth embodiment is shown in fig. 13. The rotation angle sensor 306 of the present embodiment includes a package 355 including the detection elements 131 and 132 of the first system L1, and a package 356 including the detection elements 231 and 232 of the second system L2. The package 355 is mounted on the motor surface 471 of the substrate 470, and the package 356 is mounted on the cover surface 472 of the substrate 470.

In the package 355, the detection elements 131 and 132 are mounted on the surface of the lead frame 325 opposite to the substrate 470. In package 356, detection elements 231 and 232 are mounted on the surface of lead frame 326 opposite to substrate 470. Arranged such that the centers of the packages 354, 355 are offset from the axis Ax. Namely, Z1 ≠ 0.

The main detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed on the front and back sides of the corresponding positions with the substrate 470 interposed therebetween, and have the same distance X1 from the axis Ax. The sub detection elements 132 and 232 are disposed on the front and back sides of the corresponding positions with the substrate 470 interposed therebetween, and have the same distance Y1 from the axis Ax. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the main detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed closer to the axis line Ax than the sub detection elements 132 and 232. Namely X1 < Y1.

In the present embodiment, two main detection elements 131 and 231 are provided. The packages 355 and 356 are provided for the main detection elements 131 and 231, respectively, and are provided on both surfaces of the substrate 470 such that the detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed at the same position with the substrate 470 interposed therebetween. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(seventh embodiment)

A seventh embodiment is shown in fig. 14. The rotation angle sensor 307 of the present embodiment is different from that of the sixth embodiment in that the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are mounted on the substrate 470 side of the lead frames 325 and 326. In the present embodiment, the detection elements 131 and 231 can be disposed close to each other as compared with the sixth embodiment, and therefore, detection errors can be reduced. In addition, when the gap distance between the detection elements 131 and 231 is set to be optimal, the substrate 470 and the magnet 875 can be brought close to each other, and therefore the magnet 875 can be downsized. Further, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(eighth embodiment)

An eighth embodiment is shown in fig. 15. The detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 of the rotation angle sensor 308 of the present embodiment are mounted on the lead frames 324 and 325 on the opposite side of the substrate 470 as in the sixth embodiment, but may be mounted on the substrate 470 side as in the seventh embodiment. The main detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed on the front and back sides of the corresponding positions with the substrate 470 interposed therebetween, and have the same distance X1 from the axis Ax.

The sub detection elements 132 and 232 are disposed on both sides with the main detection elements 131 and 231 therebetween. In the present embodiment, in the package 355, the center of the detection element 131, the axis Ax, the center of the package 355, and the center of the detection element 132 are arranged in this order from one side. In the package 356, the center of the detection element 232, the center of the package 356, the center of the detection element 231, and the axis Ax are arranged in this order from one side. The distance Y31 between the detection element 132 and the center of the magnet 875 is different from the distance Y32 between the detection element 232 and the center of the magnet 875. Namely, Y31 ≠ Y32. In addition, the distance Y31 is smaller than the distance Y32. Namely Y31 < Y32.

The centers of the package 355 and the package 356 are disposed on both sides with the axis Ax interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the distance Z31 between the center of the package 355 and the axis Ax is smaller than the distance Z32 between the center of the package 356 and the axis Ax. Namely, Z31 ≠ 0, Z32 ≠ 0, Z31 ≠ Z32, and Z31 < Z32.

In the present embodiment, as in the sixth embodiment, the packages 355 and 356 are provided on both surfaces of the substrate 470 such that the main detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed at the same position with the substrate 470 interposed therebetween. By disposing the main detecting elements 131 and 231 close to the axial center of the magnet 875, the sub detecting elements 132 and 232 can be disposed in a region where the detection accuracy is relatively good while the detection accuracy is ensured. In addition, since the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are not disposed at the same position on both sides but disposed at different positions, the degree of freedom of the layout of the components on the substrate 470 is improved. Further, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(ninth embodiment, tenth embodiment)

The ninth embodiment is shown in fig. 16, and the tenth embodiment is shown in fig. 17. The rotation angle sensor 309 of the ninth embodiment has a package 357 as a main package including the main detecting elements 131 and 231, a package 358 as a sub-package including the sub-detecting element 132, and a package 359 as a sub-package including the sub-detecting element 232. That is, in the present embodiment, the main detecting elements 131 and 231 are formed as one package, and the sub detecting elements 132 and 232 are formed as different packages. The packages 357-359 are mounted on the motor surface 471 of the substrate 470. In fig. 16, detection elements 131 and 231 are mounted on the opposite side of lead frame 327 from substrate 470, and detection elements 132 and 232 are mounted on the opposite side of lead frames 328 and 329 from substrate 470.

The center of package 357 is disposed on axis Ax. The main detection elements 131 and 231 are symmetrically arranged on both sides with respect to the center of the magnet 875. The packages 358 and 359 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the package 357 with the axis Ax interposed therebetween. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, the distance X1 between the main detecting elements 131 and 231 and the magnet 875 is smaller than the distance Y1 between the sub detecting elements 132 and 232. Namely, X1 < Y1.

As shown in fig. 17, in the tenth embodiment, the rotation angle sensor 310 includes packages 357 to 359, as in the ninth embodiment. The package 357 having the main detection elements 131 and 231 is mounted on the motor surface 471 of the substrate 470 and on the axis Ax, as in the ninth embodiment. The packages 358, 359 with the sub detection elements 132, 232 are mounted on the top surface 472 of the substrate 470. The packages 357 and 358 are symmetrically arranged on both sides with respect to the axis Ax, and are repeatedly arranged in at least a part of the projection region of the package 357 in the axial direction of the motor 80. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, the distance X1 between the main detecting elements 131 and 231 and the magnet 875 is smaller than the distance Y1 between the sub detecting elements 132 and 232. Namely, X1 < Y1.

Even with such a configuration, the sub detection elements 132 and 232 can be arranged in a region with relatively good detection accuracy while ensuring detection accuracy of the main detection elements 131 and 231. This produces the same effects as those of the above embodiment.

(eleventh embodiment)

The eleventh embodiment is shown in fig. 18 to 21. As shown in fig. 18, the motor 83 has a set of motor windings 183, and the drive device 40 (not shown in fig. 18) is constituted by one system. In fig. 18, the second system L2 side structure of fig. 4 is omitted. That is, in the rotation angle sensor 311 of the present embodiment, the second sensor unit 230 is omitted, and in the computing device 71, the second control unit 270 is omitted.

As in the rotation angle sensor 312 shown in fig. 19, the rotation number calculation unit 143 may calculate the rotation number TC1 using the detection value of the sub-detection element 132. In this case, the power is constantly supplied to the detection element 132 and the rotation number calculation unit 143 surrounded by the broken line via the power source 192, and the detection and calculation are continued. In the sensor unit 130, power is supplied to the components other than the detection element 132 and the rotation number calculation unit 143 via the power source 193 when the start switch is turned on, and power supply is stopped when the start switch is turned off.

The components for abnormality detection and rotation number calculation may be lower in accuracy than those for rotation angle calculation, and the structure on the abnormality detection side may be simplified by including the detection component. For example, a TMR element or an AMR element with high detection accuracy is used as the main detection element 131, and a TMR element with low power consumption or a combination of hall elements with relatively low cost or the like is preferable as the sub detection element 132. The use of different types of detection elements 131 and 132 is preferable in terms of functional safety because it can prevent the occurrence of a failure due to the same cause. In the case of the two systems, the rotation times TC1 and TC2 may be calculated using the sub-detection elements 132 and 232.

The arrangement of the detection elements 131 and 132 will be described with reference to fig. 20 and 21. In fig. 20 and 21, an example of the rotation angle sensor 311 is described, but the same applies to the rotation angle sensor 312.

As shown in fig. 20, the rotation angle sensor 311 of the present embodiment is the same as the sixth embodiment except for the package 356 (see fig. 13), and the package 355 is mounted on the motor surface 471 of the substrate 470. The centers of the detecting elements 131 and 132 are both offset from the axis line Ax, and the distance X1 between the center of the main detecting element 131 and the axis line Ax is smaller than the distance Y1 between the center of the sub detecting element 132 and the axis line Ax. Namely X1 < Y1. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

As in the rotation angle sensor 311 shown in fig. 21, the detection elements 131 and 132 may be mounted on both surfaces of the lead frame 325. In this case, the centers of the detection elements 131 and 132 may be aligned with the center of the magnet 875. The detection element 131 for control is preferably arranged to have an optimum gap.

(twelfth and thirteenth embodiments)

In the twelfth to eighteenth embodiments, the arrangement of the rotation angle sensor and the substrate will be mainly described. The configuration of the rotation angle sensor is not limited to the configuration described below, and may be the configuration of the above-described embodiment. The twelfth embodiment is shown in fig. 22 and 23. Fig. 22 and fig. 25 described later are cross-sectional views corresponding to fig. 3 of the first embodiment. In fig. 23, the internal structure of the rotation angle sensor 312 is schematically shown. Fig. 24 and the like are also the same. As shown in fig. 22 and 23, the rotation angle sensor 312 of the present embodiment is arranged on a substrate 470 such that: the package 360 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and the long side of the package 360 and the boundary D are lined up. Therefore, the rotation angle sensor 312 is divided into regions R1, R2 in the longitudinal direction. Further, the package center Pc is located on the dividing line D.

As shown in fig. 23, lead terminals 161 and 261 are provided on the long sides of the package 360. The lead terminal 161 is a terminal disposed on the first system region R1 side and is connected to the first control unit 170. The lead terminal 261 is a terminal disposed on the second system region R2 side and is connected to the second control unit 270. By disposing the terminals of the first system close to the first system region R1 side and the terminals of the second system close to the second system region R2 side, substrate design becomes easy.

As in the first embodiment, the rotation angle sensor 312 of the present embodiment includes the detection elements 131 and 132 of the first system L1 mounted on one surface of the lead frame 321, and the detection elements 231 and 232 of the second system L2 mounted on the other surface. That is, in the present embodiment, the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are mounted on both sides of the lead frame 321.

The arithmetic circuit element 147 is mounted on one surface of the lead frame 321. The arithmetic circuit element 147 performs various calculations in the signal processing unit 140. The detection elements 131 and 132 are mounted on the surface of the arithmetic circuit element 147 opposite to the lead frame 321. The structure in which the detection element is mounted on the arithmetic circuit element on the lead frame is also included in the concept of "mounting the detection element on the lead frame".

On the other surface of the lead frame 321, similarly to the first system L1, arithmetic circuit elements for performing various calculations in the signal processing unit 240 are mounted, and the detection elements 231 and 232 are mounted on the surface of the arithmetic circuit elements opposite to the lead frame 321. Since the first system-side structure is arranged in the same manner as the second system-side structure with the lead frame 321 interposed therebetween, the second system-side structure is not illustrated or described in fig. 23 and 24.

As in the above-described embodiment, the detection elements 131 and 132 are provided on both sides with the axis line Ax interposed therebetween at positions offset from the axis line Ax, which is the rotation center of the magnet 875. The control detection element 131 is disposed closer to the axis Ax than the abnormality monitoring detection element 132. In the present embodiment, both the detection elements 131 and 132 are disposed on the boundary D. In the present embodiment, the detection elements 131 and 132 in the rotation angle sensor 312 are arranged symmetrically, and the package center Pc is arranged so as to be offset from the axis line Ax, so that the detection element 131 for control is closer to the axis line Ax than the detection element 132 for abnormality monitoring.

In the rotation angle sensor 313 of the thirteenth embodiment shown in fig. 24, two arithmetic circuit elements 148 and 149 are mounted on one surface of a lead frame 321. The detection element 131 is mounted on the surface of the arithmetic circuit element 148 opposite to the lead frame, and the detection element 132 is mounted on the surface of the arithmetic circuit element 149 opposite to the lead frame 321. The calculation circuit element 148 performs the calculations of the rotation angle calculation unit 141 and the rotation number calculation unit 143, and the calculation circuit element 149 performs the calculation of the rotation angle calculation unit 142. The processing of the self-diagnosis unit 145 and the communication unit 146 is performed in the arithmetic circuit element 148, but may be performed in the arithmetic circuit element 149.

That is, in the present embodiment, the arithmetic circuit elements 148 and 149 are provided separately for control and for abnormality monitoring. The detection element 132 and the arithmetic circuit element 149 for monitoring the abnormality do not require precision as compared with the detection element 131 and the arithmetic circuit element 148 for control, and therefore have a simpler configuration than the detection element 131 and the arithmetic circuit element 148 for control. This makes it possible to prevent the arithmetic circuit elements 148 and 149 from failing at the same time because of different kinds of redundant designs. Note that the arithmetic circuit elements 148 and 149 may be configured similarly.

In the present embodiment, the detection elements 131 and 132 are also disposed at positions deviated from the axis line Ax, and the detection element 131 for control is disposed at a position closer to the axis line Ax than the detection element 132 for abnormality detection. The axis Ax is located in the region of the operational circuit element 148 in the package body region. The detection element 132 is provided at an end of the arithmetic circuit element 149 side on the arithmetic circuit element 148.

The rotation angle sensors 312, 313 are mounted on the substrate 470 divided into the first system region R1 and the second system region R2. The first main detection element 131 and the second main detection element 231 are disposed on a boundary D that divides the first system region R1 and the second system region R2. This reduces detection errors between systems.

The rotation angle sensors 312, 313 have lead terminals 161, 261 provided on the outer edge of the package 360. The lead terminal 161 disposed on the first system region R1 side outputs a signal of the detection value of the first main detection element 131 to the first control unit 170, and the lead terminal 162 disposed in the second system region R2 outputs a signal of the detection value of the second main detection element to the second control unit 270. This facilitates substrate wiring. The same effects as those of the above embodiment are also exhibited.

(fourteenth and fifteenth embodiments)

The fourteenth embodiment is shown in fig. 25 and 26. The internal configuration of the rotation angle sensor 314 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the rotation angle sensor 312 of the twelfth embodiment, and the substrate 470 is arranged such that the short side of the package 360 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view is parallel to the boundary D. As shown in fig. 26, the package center Pc is a position deviated from the boundary D. In the present embodiment, the package center Pc is located in the second system region R2. Further, depending on the substrate configuration and the sensor configuration, the package center Pc may be located on the first system region R1 side so that the control detection element 131 is closer to the axis Ax than the abnormality monitoring detection element 132.

The lead terminal 361 is disposed on one long side of the package 360, and the lead terminal 362 is disposed on the other long side of the package 360. In the present embodiment, of the lead terminals 361, n terminals from the end on the first system region R1 side are connected to the first controller 170, and m terminals from the end on the second system region R2 side are connected to the second controller 270. In addition, m terminals of the lead terminals 362 from the end on the first system region R1 side are connected to the first controller 170, and n terminals from the end on the second system region R2 side are connected to the second controller 270. N + m is arbitrarily set to be equal to or less than the lead terminals 361 and 362. n and m may be equal or different. In the present embodiment, since the package 360 is close to the second system region R2, a part of the terminals connected to the first controller 170 may be disposed in the second system region R2. Depending on the setting of n and m, a part of the terminals connected to the second controller 270 may be disposed in the first system region R1. Such an arrangement is also included in the concept of "the lead terminal arranged on the first system area side outputs a signal relating to the detection value of the first main detection element, and the lead terminal arranged on the second system area side outputs a signal relating to the detection value of the second main detection element".

A fifteenth embodiment is shown in fig. 27. The internal configuration of the rotation angle sensor 315 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the rotation angle sensor 313 of the thirteenth embodiment. In addition, the rotation angle sensor 315 is disposed on the substrate 470 such that the short side of the package 360 is parallel to the boundary D, as in the fourteenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, as in the thirteenth embodiment, the axis Ax and the package center Pc are located in the region of the arithmetic circuit element 148. The configuration of the rotation angle sensor 315 is the same as that of the fourteenth embodiment in detail.

The rotation angle sensors 314, 315 are mounted on the substrate 470 divided into the first system region R1 and the second system region R2. The package 360 is disposed such that the first primary detection element 131 is in the first system region R1 and the second primary detection element 231 is in the second system region R2. This facilitates substrate wiring. The same effects as those of the above embodiment are also exhibited.

(sixteenth embodiment)

A sixteenth embodiment is shown in fig. 28. In the rotation angle sensor 316 of the present embodiment, the substrate 470 is arranged such that the short side of the package 360 is parallel to the boundary D, as in the fourteenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the axis Ax coincides with the package center Pc. The detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 of the rotation angle sensor 316 are all mounted on the surface of the lead frame 322 facing the magnet 875, similarly to the rotation angle sensor 303 of the third embodiment (see fig. 9). That is, in the present embodiment, the detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 are mounted on one surface of the lead frame 322. The lead terminals 361 and 362 are the same as those in the fifteenth embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the arithmetic circuit elements 147 and 247 are mounted on the surface of the lead frame 321 facing the magnet 875. The first arithmetic circuit element 147 is disposed in the first system region R1, and the second arithmetic circuit element 247 is disposed in the second system region R2. In the second arithmetic circuit element 247, various arithmetic operations are performed in the signal processing section 240. The detection elements 131 and 132 are mounted on the surface of the first arithmetic circuit element 147 opposite to the lead frame 322, and the detection elements 231 and 232 are mounted on the surface of the second arithmetic circuit element 247 opposite to the lead frame 322. The arithmetic circuit elements 147, 247 are separated by a boundary line D.

The detection element 131 for control is disposed at an end portion on the axis Ax side in the arithmetic circuit element 147. The detection element 231 for control is disposed at an end portion on the axis Ax side of the arithmetic circuit element 247.

The detection element 132 for monitoring an abnormality is disposed outside the detection element 131 for controlling on the arithmetic circuit element 147. The detection element 232 for monitoring abnormality is disposed outside the detection element 231 for control in the arithmetic circuit 247. As in the thirteenth embodiment, the arithmetic circuit element may be divided into a control element and an abnormality monitoring element. The same applies to the embodiment described later.

The detection elements 131 and 231 are arranged on a center line C parallel to the long side of the package 360. The detection elements 132 and 232 are disposed at positions offset from the center line C. In addition, the detection elements 132, 232 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the package center Pc. In the present embodiment, the arithmetic circuit element 147 having the detection elements 131 and 132 mounted thereon and the arithmetic circuit element 247 having the detection elements 231 and 232 mounted thereon are formed in the same shape and arranged in point symmetry. This allows the same component to be used, and thus the number of component types can be reduced. In fig. 28, the abnormality monitoring detection elements 132 and 232 are illustrated as being simpler and smaller than the control detection elements 131 and 231, but elements having the same accuracy or the same size as the control detection elements 131 and 231 may be used. The same applies to the embodiment described later.

In the present embodiment, the sub detection elements 132 and 232 are disposed at positions deviated from the straight line connecting the center of the main detection elements 131 and 231 and the axis Ax. Thus, even if the number of detection elements to be used as a redundant system is increased, the detection accuracy of the main detection elements 131 and 231 can be ensured while suppressing the size increase of the magnet 875. Further, since the sub-detection elements 132 and 232 can be disposed at positions with relatively high detection accuracy, the magnet 875 can be downsized. Further, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(seventeenth embodiment)

A seventeenth embodiment is shown in fig. 29. The package 360 and the operation circuit elements 147 and 247 of the rotation angle sensor 317 of the present embodiment are arranged in the same manner as in the sixteenth embodiment. The control detecting elements 131 and 231 are disposed on the center line C, and the abnormality monitoring detecting elements 132 and 232 are disposed at positions deviated from the center line C. The detection elements 131 and 232 are both arranged on one longer side of the center line C and are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the boundary line D. As in the third embodiment, the abnormality monitoring detection elements 132 and 232 may be arranged on the center line C and outside the control detection elements 131 and 231 (see fig. 30).

As shown in fig. 31, the package 360 may be mounted on the substrate 470 such that the long side thereof is parallel to the boundary D, as in the twelfth embodiment. The detection elements 131, 132, 231, and 232 may be arranged as shown in fig. 28, 30, and fig. 32 described later. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(eighteenth embodiment)

An eighteenth embodiment is shown in fig. 32. In the rotation angle sensor 318 of the present embodiment, the arithmetic circuit elements 147 and 247 are arranged to be separated from each other by a boundary line D, as in the sixteenth embodiment and the like. The detection elements 131 and 132 are arranged at the end portions on the boundary D side in the arithmetic circuit element 147. The detection elements 231 and 232 are arranged at the end on the boundary line D side on the arithmetic circuit element 247. The control detection elements 131 and 231 are disposed on the arithmetic circuit elements 147 and 247 so as to be close to one long side of the package 360, and the abnormality monitoring detection elements 132 and 232 are disposed on the arithmetic circuit elements 147 and 247 so as to be close to the other long side of the package 360. The detection elements 131 and 132 and the detection elements 231 and 232 are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the boundary line D.

The rotation angle sensor 318 is mounted on the substrate 470 such that the axis line Ax is the center of the control detection elements 131 and 231, and the package center Pc is located at a position offset from the axis line Ax on the boundary line D. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

(nineteenth embodiment)

A nineteenth embodiment is shown in fig. 33. The package 365 of the rotation angle sensor 319 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially square shape in a plan view, and the lead terminals are provided on the four sides of the package 365. In the present embodiment, the lead terminal 161 formed on one side of the first system region R1 and the terminals disposed in the first system region R1 among the lead terminals 361 and 362 formed on both sides of the transverse regions R1 and R2 are connected to the first controller 170. Further, the second control unit 270 is connected to the lead terminal 261 formed on the side of the second system region R2 and the terminals disposed in the second system region R2 among the lead terminals 361 and 362 formed on both sides of the transverse regions R1 and R2.

As indicated by the broken lines, the first controller 170 may be connected to n (five in the example of fig. 33) of the lead terminals 361 on the side of the first system region R1, the second controller 270 may be connected to m (one in the example of fig. 33) of the terminals on the side of the second system region R2, the first controller 170 may be connected to m of the lead terminals 362 on the side of the first system region R1, and the second controller 270 may be connected to n of the terminals on the side of the second system region R2. In other words, the division of the wire terminals into systems may be point-symmetrical or may be different from the boundary D. The details of n and m are the same as those in the fourteenth embodiment. In fig. 33, as in the sixteenth embodiment, the detection elements 131 and 132 of the first system L1 and the detection elements 231 and 232 of the second system L2 are disposed in point symmetry, but the element arrangement may be any other embodiment including double-sided mounting. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are exhibited.

Here, the magnet 875 corresponds to "a detection target", a rotating magnetic field that changes according to the rotation of the magnet 875 corresponds to "a physical quantity that changes according to the rotation of the detection target", and the axis line Ax corresponds to "a detection center". The control detection elements 131 and 231 correspond to a "main detection element", and the abnormality detection elements 132 and 232 correspond to a "sub detection element". The rotation angles θ 1a and θ 2a correspond to "main rotation information", and the rotation angles θ 1b and θ 2b correspond to "sub rotation information". In the example of fig. 4, the rotation times TC1 and TC2 may be regarded as being included in the "main rotation information". In the example of fig. 19, the number of rotations TC1 and TC2 may be regarded as being included in the "sub-rotation information".

The rotation angle sensors 301 to 319 correspond to "detection devices", the control units 170 and 270 correspond to "arithmetic devices", the ECU10 corresponds to "control devices", and the batteries 191 and 291 correspond to "voltage sources". The concept of "determining an abnormality of the detection device based on the main rotation information and the sub rotation information" is also included in the case where the values are compared on the sensor side, the abnormality determination result is output to the control unit as the sub rotation information, and the control unit performs the abnormality determination based on the obtained abnormality determination result.

(other embodiments)

In the above embodiment, two or one sensor unit is provided in the detection device. In other embodiments, the number of the sensor portions may be three or more. In other embodiments, the driving device may be three or more systems. In other embodiments, the number of detection elements may be five or more. For example, when three detection elements are provided for each system, one detection element may be regarded as a main detection element, and the remaining two detection elements may be regarded as sub-detection elements. In the above embodiment, the main detection element is used for control, and the sub detection element is used for abnormality monitoring. In other embodiments, for example, when the detection value of the sub-detection element is used for control, the main detection element may be used for other than control, or the sub-detection element may be used for other than abnormality monitoring.

In the above embodiment, the detection device is a rotation angle sensor that detects rotation of the motor, and the detection target is a magnet provided on a shaft of the motor. In the other embodiments, any sensor may be used as long as it detects a physical quantity that changes according to rotation, and for example, a torque sensor of a double analyzer that detects a rotating magnetic field, a torque sensor that detects a magnetic field intensity, or the like may be used. That is, in other embodiments, the detection target is not limited to the motor, and may be, for example, a steering shaft.

In the above embodiment, the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are supplied with electric power from the batteries of the other paths, respectively, and the output signals are transmitted to the control units of the other paths. In another embodiment, power may be supplied to a plurality of sensor units from a common battery. In this case, a power supply as a regulator or the like may be provided for each sensor unit, or the power supply may be shared. In other embodiments, a plurality of sensor units may transmit output signals to a common control unit.

In the above embodiment, the motor is a three-phase brushless motor. In other embodiments, the motor unit is not limited to a three-phase brushless motor, and may be any motor. The motor unit is not limited to a motor (electric motor), and may be a generator, or may be a so-called motor generator having both functions of an electric motor and a generator.

In the above embodiment, the control device provided with the detection device is applied to the electric power steering device. In another embodiment, the drive device may be applied to a device other than the electric power steering device. As described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is described in terms of embodiments. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment and the structure. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and equivalent variations. In addition, various combinations and modes, and other combinations and modes including only one element above or below the element are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.